Tomatoes are the most popular homegrown vegetable because they are tasty, healthful, and versatile. But they are not a particularly easy-to-grow crop, and tomatoes can be tricky to produce in West Texas.
Here are some ideas to help you succeed with your home tomato crops:
Tomatoes are not hot-weather plants, at least not in the ‘West Texas summer’ sense. Although they are not cool-season plants and cannot withstand cold conditions, they do not set fruit as well during the warmest summer months. There are two approaches to this problem: 1. planting schedule and 2. heat-tolerant cultivar selection. Plant huge transplants as early as possible in the spring for spring tomato output. Wait until all frost threat has gone, or plant early but have a frost protection strategy ready to go if necessary. Beginning with a huge transplant in the colder spring weather can improve the amount of harvest you can receive before the hot season arrives.
A autumn crop may also be highly prolific; begin with fresh transplants in July, and when they are completely developed in September, temperatures will begin to decrease and fruit will form. July is an awfully hard time of year to start new plants, so keep a close eye on water needs, use mulch, and provide a shade covering for the hottest afternoon hours for the first few days (a large cardboard box will do, just don’t leave it there all day). Heat-tolerant cultivars like Tycoon, Celebrity, and Sunmaster will produce more fruit throughout the summer, and cherry tomatoes are an excellent option for heat tolerance.
Tomatoes thrive on soil that is rich in organic materials. Incorporate two to three inches of high-quality compost into the top six inches of soil. Use a thick layer of organic mulch after planting to help keep weeds controlled, prevent water from evaporating and to keep soil cool. Soil preparation is sometimes overlooked, yet it may make a significant impact in crop yield. Install drip irrigation, which enables water to be fed directly to the soil, increasing water efficiency and decreasing plant disease spread that spray irrigation may cause.
Use potting mix instead of actual soil when growing in pots. Including compost, but no more than 1/3 of the total volume. Mulch and drip watering may also be quite helpful to potted plants!
Related Questions
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What tomatoes are heat tolerant in Texas?
Choose the right variety
Heat-resistant tomato types such as Heatmaster, Sun Fire, Summer Set, and Phoenix may produce fruit even when temperatures rise. -
Can tomatoes grow in 90 degree weather?
Daytime temperatures consistently above 90° F or night time temperatures consistently above 75° F create all kinds of stress for tomato plants. It’s too hot to pollinate tomatoes. This implies less fruit. Worryingly, the heat has a negative impact on the plants.
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Should you water tomatoes every day in hot weather?
Avoid Overwatering Tomatoes in Summer Weather
Tomato plants need an inch or two of water every week, and a long soak is preferable than a little water every day. Frequent watering helps keep tomatoes from cracking. Too much water can suffocate the roots of plants. -
Why are my tomatoes struggling to grow?
Slow progress requires patience. When seedlings seem to be taking forever to grow, it is usually due to low temperatures or inadequate nutrition. Over-watering: Many growers harm their tomato plants by over-watering. Your tomato seeds may decay if the soil is wet.
